Long-term planning needed to boost agro economy

ACCORDING to recent news items, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar met with representatives of fertiliser sector of Pakistan which shows that Government is making efforts to resolve all issues faced by agricultural sector and fertiliser industry is an important part but I would like to make a point here that although PML-N is trying hard to facilitate farmers and other relevant stake holders through subsidies, Kissan package etc. But these policies are falling short of desired results. The main reasons behind such shortfalls are short term policies with lack of proper mechanism of implementation. I belong to a farming family and I know how much we suffered due to slow process of government policies. Government announced subsidy on fertiliser very close to crop season and many of the farmers waited to get subsidised fertilisers and pesticides but when the time came it was too late. Many of the farmers could not apply pesticides and fertiliser on the land which resulted in poor production. I would suggest government to take all the stake holders including farmers, fertiliser producers and pesticides etc in confidence and should come up with a comprehensive long-term strategy to achieve better results and stabilised market. Only long-term planning can help boost agro economy of the country which is a major component of the economic growth. Pakistan is an agriculture country but unfortunately in past almost 69 years, not a single government either its democracy or dictatorship could introduce a well planned agriculture policy to help farmers and all other stake holders. Now when food security is major challenge of the world, Pakistan should focus on agriculture sector and should support fertiliser sector so that better cheaper fertiliser and pesticide can be provided to the farmers for better per acre production.

FAIZAN CHAUDHARY

Faisalabad